6 speed auto trans.

[michael loibl]

Can anyone tell me whether or not the trans will go into torque converter lockup if I manually engage fifth or fourth gear while towing? I can't seem to find anything to confirm

Just to clarify, I'm asking about a new 15 or 16 explorer with the 3.5 non turbo. Considering adding to the fords in my driveway

 

[Napalm]

I have no documentation to support this

but

I would think the computer - seeing that you're within speed and RPM ranged to engage OD gears - would indeed lock up the torque converter. I'll need to check the book on my 2016 but I can't imagine it wouldn't.

I would think if nothing else it would prohibit OD before preventing lock up - just because gears 1-4 are lower anyway. 4th on the explorer trans is still 1:1 isn't it?

 

[TerryVanpool]

Every Ford I have driven in many years has locked up the convertor in 3rd gear. In most, including F150's and Explorers it can be felt right after the 2 to 3 shift when accelerating normally.
I haven't towed with the Explorer yet but all previous vehicles would lock in 3rd gear whether towing or not.

 

[Rubberhead]

First of all, I don't think the 2011+ Explorers have an official 'overdrive' gear since the gear ratios are all above 1.00. Mine seems to avoid 6th gear when the Tow Mode is active.

 

[Napalm]

uhm no they aren't.

1 = 4.48
2 = 2.87
3 = 1.84
4 = 1.41
5 = 1.00
6 = 0.74 (overdrive)

final drive ratio - in the bottom of the transaxle - 3.39 according to ford website.

so there's only one overdrive - I find that mildly surprising - it does have to haul a lot of azz around.

the sports transaxle has slightly different ratios from what I understand.

 

[HamHands]

uhm no they aren't.

1 = 4.48
2 = 2.87
3 = 1.84
4 = 1.41
5 = 1.00
6 = 0.74 (overdrive)

final drive ratio - in the bottom of the transaxle - 3.39 according to ford website.

so there's only one overdrive - I find that mildly surprising - it does have to haul a lot of azz around.

the sports transaxle has slightly different ratios from what I understand.

True! And the Sports final drive ratio is slightly different than the XLT & Limited's equipped with the NA 3.5L and all wheel drive. The Sport's final drive axle ratio is 3.16 and the standard 3.5L 4WD versions axles have 3.65 axle ratio's. When I engage my Sport in Tow Mode, it changes the shift points and makes them more aggressive (love this feature), locks out 6th gear, and holds each gear longer before it upshifts. I use this TOW mode when engaging traffic on I-75/85 and GA400 when I don't feel like going into "M" Mode and paddle shifting.

OP, I love your sig line!!!

 

[Rubberhead]

Thanks Napalm. I briefly Bing'ed it before I posted but couldn't find it.

 

[Napalm]

No worries - I'm odd so I've been doing some deep digging into the explorer before and now after we've bought one.

I am more comfortable around GM products becasue that's what I've worked on and owned for the last 2 decades. I work on almost everything.

but I've been wanting to bone up on the ford logic as I try to do all of my own MX.

Not to be that complete azzhat - but. the sports final drive ratio is 3.19, and the non sport is 3.39.

I'm mildly surprised at the gear ratios in the box - especially 3 and 4.


anyway with a tow mode yes it should lock up the TC - but keep you out of OD as that's too much strain on the gears (really long story)

something else - not sure if any of you have ever cracked open an auto transaxle but this particular model - like many of the other modern boxes - has bigger, stouter clutch packs and a larger TC lock up ring than previous generations. Why - because the computer want't to keep it locked up as often as possible for the MPG's.

so odd as it might seem - usually from 30mph + or out of second gear the TC is locked up between gear changes. as best as I understand it, and it's a computer tunable setting.